HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (July 21, 2010) – The Centenary wrestling program hosted a successful week of one-day camps, as 23 boys between the first and eighth grades attended. Each three-hour camp taught fundamental and technical wrestling skills.

Head coach John Garriques and Centenary assistant coaches and student-athletes served as camp counselors. Assistant coach Mark Leh discussed strength training and how to keep a balanced diet. CC’s wrestlers who worked the camp included the program’s first-ever All-American, Will Livingston (Newton, N.J./Kittatinny), as well as senior captains Dave Alsieux (Belmar, N.J./Manasquan) and Jon Stillo (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg).

The camps also featured guest appearances by two-time New Jersey State Champion Tom Noto, who wrestled at 125 at Hofstra, winning his conference three-time conference champion from Hofstra, as well as former Cyclone Seth Wisner, who was a Metropolitan Conference finalist and a three-time Academic All-American while at Centenary. Garriques’ nephews Joey and Johnny Bencivengo served as the Mascots of the camps. 

The 2009-10 campaign proved to be historic for head coach John Garriques and the Centenary wrestling program. Not only did the team open its new wrestling room, the Zeitler Wrestling Facility, but Will Livingston took third-place at 133 at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships to become the program’s first-ever All-American. More success appears to be headed Centenary’s way, as everyone returns next season.

Four wrestlers won more than 20 bouts in 2009-10, including Matt Regan, who went 30-8 at 165-pounds. Dave Alsiuex won 28 bouts at 141 while Mike Hall went 21-9 at heavyweight and Jon Stillo finished 20-5 at 149. JJ Mitchell came just shy of the 20-win plateau with 19 victories at 184.

The Cyclones’ season opened with the Ithaca Invitational on Nov. 8. Although the team finished ninth out of 10, Regan took first and Hall finished fifth in their respective weight classes. The team then opened its duals action with four losses in the John Reese Duals, all to ranked teams, including No. 3 Ithaca. Centenary then competed in the Doug Parker Invitational in Springfield, Mass., and placed sixth out of 18 teams. Alsieux and Hall each finished second in their weight class to lead CC.

After opening their Metropolitan Conference slate with a hard-fought 21-18 win over King’s on Dec. 4, the team performed well in the inaugural Bob Quade Tournament at home, as eight wrestlers placed, including three who took second: Jose Vega at 125, Regan at 165 and Hall at heavyweight.

Centenary then won four of its next six duals matches, going 2-1 in Metropolitan action during that stretch. The team finished its regular season tournament schedule with the Ursinus Invitational and placed fourth out of eight, as Regan led six placewinners by taking second at 165. The Cyclones finished their season with six dual bouts, going 3-3 while falling in hard-fought matches to No. 7 TCNJ and No. 5 Delaware Valley.

In the Metropolitan Tournament, Regan fell in the championship bout at 165 while Stillo took true second at 149 after placing third and Alsieux finished fourth. Livingston was the lone Centenary representative in the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championship in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but he was enough, as he upset the second-seed, the seventh-seed and the eighth-seed on his way to a third-place finish. His only loss came to the top-seed and eventual winner, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Bebeto Yewah. Livingston was up 6-2 after the first and 8-6 after the second but fell by way of pin in the final period. Thanks to his efforts, Centenary finished the tournament ranked 27th out of 93 teams.

Off the mat, the Cyclones again showed how hard they work, finishing with the 17th-best GPA in Division III. CC posted the 22nd-best GPA in the country in 2008-09. Four wrestlers received NWCA Academic All-American accolades in Alsieux, Hall, Stillo and Regan. Last season, only one Cyclone, Stillo, was named an Academic All-American.

With a new wrestling facility and everyone returning next year, the future is indeed bright for the Centenary wrestling program. 

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (January 29, 2010) - Centenary College held the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Zeitler Wrestling Facility on Friday, Jan. 29. The 5,000 square foot addition to the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center will take Centenary’s wrestling program to new levels.

The new facility contains a wrestling room and office space, and will make the Reeves Student Recreation Center, which was renovated and expanded in 2007, an even more attractive facility for prospective student-athletes. Funding for this facility was made possible by a gift to The Campaign for Centenary College from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

The new wrestling room also includes a wrestling mat that encompasses 3,928 square feet, a cardio room with stationary bikes, treadmills, climbing ropes that will reach 15 feet in height, pull-up bars and a wrestlers’ storage area.

A 55-inch flat screen television is mounted on the wall and the room has a surround-sound stereo system as well.

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (June 10, 2010) – Centenary wrestling head coach John Garriques was selected to participate in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) College Coaches Leadership Academy for the second straight year. The two-day affair took place at the Jon Davis Wrestling Center in Edwardsville, Ill, on June 8-9. Garriques is one of 30 Division I, II and III coaches to take part in the experience. Upon graduation, Garriques will be able to serve as a mentor to other coaches across the country.

“The Academy was an amazing experience,” said Garriques. “I would highly suggest it to any coach out there who is looking to build their CEO and general leadership skills. The relationships and networks that I have built from this experience will help ensure the building of our wrestling program. I would like to thank the NWCA and their sponsors for a great experience, and I look forward to participating at the annual NWCA Convention in Delray Beach, Florida.”

The following coaches served as mentors for the 2010 Leadership Academy: Dr. Dan Gould, Professor, Michigan State University, Derek van der Merwe/Sr. Associate Athletic director, Central Michigan University, Dan Gable, former head coach, University of Iowa, Rob Koll, head coach, Cornell University, Jim Miller, head coach, Wartburg College, Dan Harris, retired athletic director, Baker University, Jeff Swenson, athletic director, Augsburg College and  Jim Beichner, head coach, University of Buffalo.

The NWCA College Coaches Leadership Academy serves to teach collegiate wrestling coaches CEO and general leadership skills, including management, hiring of assistants, marketing/promotions, fundraising, communication, entrepreneurship, budgeting and creating the best practices for improving retention and graduation rates.

Garriques will receive his diploma at the graduation ceremony, which will take place between Aug. 5-8, in Delray Beach, Fla.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (March 15, 2010) – For the second consecutive year, the Centenary wrestling team has earned Scholar Academic Team honors, posting the 17th-best GPA in the country. The Cyclones finished with the 22nd-best GPA in Division III in 2008-09.

Four wrestlers received Academic All-American accolades in senior Dave Alsieux (Belmar, N.J./Manasquan), sophomore Mike Hall (Madison, N.J./Madison) and juniors Jon Stillo (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) and Matt Regan (Boonton, N.J./Boonton). Last season, only one Cyclone, Stillo, was named an Academic All-American.

Centenary finished the season 8-9 but received its first All-American honor as junior Will Livingston (Newton, N.J./Kittatinny) placed third at 133 in the NCAA Wrestling Division III Championships.